In Transnistria, denial of Russia's 'positive role' in maintaining peace is a criminal offense
Criminal punishment for denial or distortion of Russia’s positive role in maintaining peace in Transnistria has been introduced in the unrecognized Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic (PMR), as reported by the press service of Transnistrian president Yevgeny Shevchuk.
According to the press service, the relevant amendments to the Criminal Code have been approved by the head of PMR. Earlier in June, they were approved by the parliament on the initiative of Chairman of the Supreme Council of the Republic, Vadim Krasnoselsky. The Speaker of the Parliament drew attention to the recent increase in attempts to diminish the importance of the peacekeeping mission of Russia.
"Now a punishment by a fine or imprisonment for up to three years is provided for saying public statements in this regard. The same actions committed by an official person or group of persons will be punished with imprisonment up to seven years," says the message.
On September 8, 2015, Moldova severed relations with the Russian military attaché in Chisinau due to his presence at the parade in PMR. Moldovan Defense Minister Anatol Şalaru said that the republic’s leadership expects an apology from Moscow for such an "unfriendly step.”
The situation with the Russian peacekeeping forces in Transnistria has become considerably “more complicated” after Ukrainian authorities broke the agreement on military-technical cooperation with Russia, which included an agreement on Moscow’s military cargo transport to Transnistria, in May.
In accordance with the Russian-Moldovan agreement of 1992, the peacemaking contingent of the Russian armed forces is deployed in the territory of Transnistria. It was created in 1995 on the basis of the former Soviet 14th Guards Army. There are about 1,500 Russian soldiers in the region, organized into two Motor Rifle Divisions, a guard battalion, helicopter detached force and a number of security units.
The current president of Moldova, Nicolae Timofti, previously called the presence of Russian troops in Transnistria a "primary threat" to national security.
In June, the head of Transnistria declared the region an "integral part" of Russia.
In 2015, US Senator John McCain stated that Russia could attack the Odessa region from the Transnistrian direction.